When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

Pickup basketball is a weird social phenomenon where a bunch of strangers meet at a designated spot during a designated time to engage in an athletic competition governed by de facto rules established in some mythic rulebook.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

New Releases
Check Out The Music Video For "San Francisco" by British Singer-Songwriter Laurel

Last month I posted about singer-songwriter Laurel's ode to San Francisco. When I originally heard the song, I had assumed that Laurel, who is based in London, was lamenting leaving our beautiful city, especially when she sang the lines, "I don't want to cry / But I fucking miss it."

But today, with the release of the music video for "San Francisco" — and it's accompanying subtitles — I've realized that I was wrong about the song's subject matter and thatI had misheard the lyrics. The full chorus goes: "Baby's gone to San Francisco / I don't want to cry / But I fucking miss him."

So it's about a him, not the city itself. Speaking to i-D, the young musician — who has released two EPs — said that "San Francisco" was about a relationship she had with someone who moved to the Bay, while she was still living in London.
"The feeling of missing someone is the worst," she said. "The whole time you spend thinking about being with them means you aren't really present where you are, but you're not with them either. It's almost a limbo state of mind."

While missing her stateside lover, Laurel wrote the song "in a couple of hours," and later recorded it in her bedroom. She shot the video with her smart phone and produced it as well, creating a hazy collage of footage taken in an unidentifiable city, intermixed with images of shorelines, sunsets, and the ocean.

To be frank, it's not the most riveting video, nor is it the easiest to understand (that is, if there is anything to be understood from it). But the fact that Laurel made it herself is commendable and it's a standout song, nonetheless.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"